that he was bad-looking, far from it. He wasn’t that tall, probably five-ten but his well-muscled, powerful build made up for what he lacked in height. His dark brown hair used to be collar-length before police regulations dictated the short crop he was currently sporting. All in all, he was your boy-next-door type. A boy she’d grown up with through the years, despite him being six years older. They’d gone to the same school. They’d frequented the same cinemas and social venues. But he was a copper, only that.
She hopped from one foot to the other, her gaze flicking from her trolley to his and back again before landing on his ringless left hand. The last time she’d spoken to him he’d been single. But, by the state of his trolley, nearly overflowing with Christmas cheer, there was now bound to be a bride and a bundle of babies to complete his happiness. Well, bully for him. However, instead of passing the time of day, all she wanted was to hide under her duvet and think about the implications of seeing Grace again because, despite her misgivings, she was now one hundred per cent sure it was her.
He wasn’t going anywhere. She could see it in the way his gaze drilled down through layers of skin, flesh and bone right to her heart, if indeed she still had that organ thumping inside her chest.
His hand fastened around the wire rim of her trolley before leaning in to inspect the contents. ‘Not having turkey and all the trimmings?’ he said, a frown replacing his smile.
Her gaze followed his and she saw what he saw: four rolls of wrapping paper nudged up beside two bottles of plonk and one of whiskey, all topped off with a ready meal and a tub of chocolate ice cream. It was a lonely basket for a lonely woman, and it was also none of his bloody business.
‘Yes, well. I’m not home for Christmas.’
‘No? Where are you off to then?’ His smile was back and she remembered again just what a nice bloke he was. ‘I hope it’s somewhere exciting?’
‘Hardly! Only to my parents. And you? Do you have an exciting time planned?’
‘Not really, although I do have Christmas off for a change.’
She held his gaze for a second before turning her attention back to the contents of his trolley and the large bag of Maris Pipers on top. Meeting him hadn’t been as bad as she’d feared and the questions far less intrusive. But that wasn’t surprising being as they were standing next to an old woman in a purple hat as she picked over the sprouts with a slow deliberation. She knew she should bat back a question about what he was up to with his full trolley. He certainly wasn’t the only solitary man wandering around with a bemused look on his face while they searched for the cranberry sauce, but he was the only one she didn’t want to get drawn into a conversation with. There was no way she was going to continue talking about turkey and the like. In truth, she didn’t give a damn where he was spending his Christmas or with whom. She didn’t give a damn whether he was planning to gorge himself silly on turkey or a plate of nut-roast with deep-fried falafel on the side. She just didn’t care.
They’d given up. They’d given up searching after the first few weeks, but it wasn’t something she’d ever be able to do. Charlie had stolen her child and then had the arrogance to post a card through her letterbox boasting what he’d done. What kind of man would be so cruel? Certainly not the kindly man hovering in front of her. She felt rejuvenated suddenly. Seeing Grace had rejuvenated her and changed something. Where before she’d been prepared to let it ride, now she couldn’t. For the first time in what felt like a very long time she was going to get off her behind and do something. The only question was what.
Her gaze shifted back to his face, an idea hovering. Should she tell him about seeing Grace in Swansea? Would he be interested after all this time? And finally, what good would it do? Before common sense interfered and stopped her, she leant forward, lowering her voice to a thin whisper.
‘Actually, I’m pleased I’ve bumped into you. There’s something I need to tell you.’
Chapter 2
Gaby
Tuesday 24 December, 11.50 a.m. Swansea Police Station